Grapes in Nevada - learn to grown your own

From my mailbox to you. Here's another great opportunity to learn how to grow your own local food, brought to you by Nevada Grown and Western Nevada College.

This two-day workshop will benefit both new and experienced grape growers with a focus on best practices for growing grapes in Nevada. Viticulture experts and local established growers will share their knowledge and experiences within a classroom setting and also “on the farm” at a successful Nevada vineyard. Go here for registration info.


FRIDAY WORKSHOP - May 8 • 9 am-4 pm
Fallon Campus • 160 Campus Way – Virgil Getto Hall

Includes classroom sessions on establishing a vineyard - site and rootstock selection, weed and insect management strategies, importance of canopy management, etc.

SATURDAY WORKSHOP - May 9 • AM or PM Sessions
Churchill Vineyards • 1045 Dodge Lane – Fallon

This half-day session will include a tour of Churchill Vineyards and its winery. Farmers and industry experts will demonstrate proper pruning & planting techniques and provide an opportunity for questions and answers. Established in 2001, Churchill Vineyards is Churchill County’s first vineyard, harvesting 10 different varieties of fine wine grapes. It is Nevada’s second licensed winery and first “Estate Winery.” In 2004, Churchill Vineyards successfully created its first vintage of premium estate wines.

Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies

Here's one of my favorite dessert recipes - Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies. And how do I justify including a citrus-based dessert on a blog dedicated to locally grown food? My friend Jeanne has a Meyer Lemon tree in her green house, and Leslie and I grow dwarf trees in our kitchens. Seriously local!

Buy garden transplants adapted to Northern Nevada climate

Nevada's Own is now selling vegetable and herb transplant varieities that grow well in Northern Nevada. Order now for your own garden and do it soon because they sell out fast. Call Nevada's Own at (775)465-2810, fax at (775)465-2387 or email at dan@nevadasown.com. See the list of varieties below.

TOMATOES
Big Mama
Black From Tula
Black Plum
Bradley
Brandywine Black – Potatoeleaf
Brandywine - Potatoleaf
Brandywine – Tomatoleaf
Burbank slicing
Bush Celebrity
Cherokee Purple
Custoluto Genovese
Early Girl
Fourth of July
Glacier
Goliath
Green Tomatillo
Green Zebra
Ground Cherry “Aunt Molly”
Jollyelf
Juliet
Koralik
Legend
Manitoba
Purple Tomatillo
Red & White Currant
Red Grape
Red Zebra
Schimmeig Striped Hollow
Shady Lady
Siberian
Stupice
Sungold
Sunsugar
Sweet Million
Taxi
Tumbling Tom Red
Tumbling Tom Yellow
White Cherry
Windowbox Roma
Yellow Pear
Yellow Plum

HERBS
Rocket – Arugula
Sylvette – Arugula
Lemon Balm
Basil Aroma 2
Basil Aromattao
Lettuce Leaf Basil
Lemon Basil
Lime Basil
Poppy Joe’s Basil
Supersweet Chen Basil
Siam Queen Basil
Sweet Dani Basil
St Remo-Genovese Basil
Annis Hyssop-Golden Jubilee
Borage - Burnet
Caraway
Lemon Catnip
Chamomile – German
Chamomile – Roman
Chervil Curly
Chervil Plain Leaf Vertissimo
Chives – Garlic
Chives – Large Leaf
Chives – New Belt
Chives – Welsh Onion White
Cilantro - Delfino
Coriander - Asian Choice
Coriander - Leisure (Cilantro)
Coriander - Santo
Coriander - Slow Bolting
Pepper Grass
Cumin
Dill - Dukat
Dill -Hedger
Dill – Indian – Mammoth Long Island
Epazote
Fennel – Florence
Fennel – Rubra
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Lavender
Lemon Verbena
Lemongrass
Lovage
Marjoram – Sweet Hortensis
Mexican Mint (Spanish Tarragon)
Milk Thistle
Mint – Lemon
Oregano – Greek
Oregano – Italian
Parley – Plain
Parley – Giant of Italy
Parley – Green River
Parsley – Hamburg Root
Perilla – Green
Perilla – Rubra
Rosemary
Sage – Clary
Saltwort
Savory – Summer
Savory – Winter
Sorrel – Garden
Spearmint
St. John’s Wort
Stevia
Tansy
Tarragon – Russian
Thyme – Aromatic
Thyme – winter/German/English
Vitex
Watercress

VEGETABLES
Amarantha – All Red (Chinese Spinach)
Amarantha – Bayam
Amarantha – Calaloo
Lettuce – Truckee
Lettuce – Winter Density
Lettuce – Loma
Lettuce – Nevada
Lettuce – Red Fire
Lettuce – Butter Crunch
Spicy Mesclun
Bush Bean – Blue Lake
Bush Bean – Goldmine
Lima – Pole Sieva
Cantaloupe – Earlisweet
Cantaloupe – Fast Break
Cantaloupe – Little Loup
Bright Lights Chard
Magenta Sunset Chard
Collards
Vates
Cucumber – Lemon
Cucumber – Adam (pickles)
Dusky Eggplant
Fairytales Eggplant
Hansel Eggplant
Littlefingers Eggplant
Endive – Bellesque
Leek – American Flag
Cal Wonder Golden Bell Pepper
Gypsy Bell Pepper
Northstar Bell Pepper
Purple Beauty Bell Pepper
Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper
Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Goldberg Purslane
Red Gruner Purslane
Eight Ball Summer Squash
Sundance Summer Squash
Yellow Bush Patty Pan Squash
Romulus Zucchini
Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash
Sun Green Zucchini
Fragissimo Strawberry
Sugarbaby Watermelon
Petite Treat Watermelon
Nutmeg Melon

Nevada organics program funding restored

Last week the Ways and Means Committee restored funding for the Nevada organics certification program. This is great news for farmers who grow and sell organic food and seed, and to Nevada citizens who rely on them for healthy, local, community friendly food.

Thank you to everyone who called, wrote letters, talked to friends and family, and turned out at the Ways and Means Committee prepared to offer public comment. And let's not forget to show our appreciation to the Ways and Means Committee members who responded to citizen needs and restored the funding. THANK YOU!

It’s fantastic to know that amazing things can happen when we all get together to support what’s important to us and our community.

Woo hoo!

Great Basin Basket CSA 2009 signup

From my mailbox to you:

"Hello everyone!

The 2009 Basket season is approaching and we are excited about this
year. We are rolling up our sleeves and getting ready to dive into an
exciting season. Hoop houses are being planted already and you can see
tender young plants already popping up through the soil in long squiggly
lines.

We don't really have any idea on how much to plant for this year
because we have no idea how many of you have been affected by the economic
times. The farmers are also keeping a very tight budget. So if you plan to
join us this year, you can be a tremendous help by letting us know as soon
as possible by signing up and committing to the year. We have extended our
early sign up to March 31. By paying early, you can receive the early
discount. If you cannot pay up front, we are just asking for the $40 fee
which tells us you are committed for the season you have chosen. Letting us
know now allows the farmers to make more efficient and responsible
decisions when it comes to ordering irrigation supplies, seeds, transplants
and even doing field work. You can get a copy of the registration form
here.

Our thoughts go out to everyone losing a job or having hours or pay
reduced. We feel for you and are sensitive to your situation. Your farmers
have family members who have lost jobs and we understand these trying
times. Some of you, our dedicated partners, may not be able to afford the
basket this year. Some may want to give us a try but can't quite swing it.
Thank you for considering us, and check out the specials listed on our
website. They are available to everyone who visits us there. Feel free to
access our newsletters and recipes. Despite all that is going on around us,
we can't wait for our new year to begin. We are ordering seeds and making
plans. Stay in touch!

Weather permitting, you can look for a heftier basket this year with a
variety of good things to eat. We are also excited to welcome some new
growers into our family of farmers. This will allow for more variety in our
basket—especially the fall basket. Coming soon on our website, you can
meet our new farmers. Stay tuned!

You will also have more opportunity to purchase excess product such as
canning tomatoes and pickling cucumbers. Speaking of canning and pickling,
we all know that education is the best tool for self reliance and
sustainability so we have scheduled more "days on the farm" and we will
offer classes to learn how to preserve food for the winter months.

We had incredible response to the end of the year survey. THANKS to
all of you who took the time. We appreciate your comments. We will make as
many of the changes as possible. Our plans will only go "according to as
planned if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise!" You know how
farming goes in Nevada.

We thank you for your quick response and letting us know of your plans
this year. You, our partners in this journey, are the key players in this
venture. We appreciate you and sincerely thank you for your continued
support and encouragement. Watch for new information and details on our
website . We look forward to serving you this
2009 Basket season. Spring is at the door. WE CAN'T WAIT!!


Tina, Rick, and Pauline"

Custom Gardens Organic Farm 2009 CSA volunteer and/or sign-up.

From my mailbox to you:

"Silver Springs organic farmers Ray and Virginia Johnson are preparing for another busy season at the farm. They are inviting people who love their veggies to call soon for Custom Gardens Farm’s - Western Nevada CSA subscription program and/or their popular adult volunteer opportunity. They are now accepting memberships for both programs, for coming spring / summer season. The Johnson’s have one central delivery pick-up site in the Reno/Sparks area, and this weekly CSA site is limited in number of members.

In addition to the CSA subscription memberships, a few individuals are invited to join the farm’s popular adult volunteer program, called Food-For-Work exchange.
Volunteers commit to one-half day a week at the farm, exchanging their energy and gardening knowledge and gardening help for a farmer-paid CSA membership. Food-For-Work volunteers have the opportunity to learn new, or advance their organic gardening expertise. FFW members enjoy the physical workout – helping with various farm tasks and programs.

In addition to the CSA membership programs, and an open Sunday green-market day at the farm, Custom Gardens participates in providing fresh produce for state commodity and the senior farmer’s market nutrition programs.

The Johnson’s annual farm production includes a wide variety of A to Z vegetables, herbs, cut-flowers, specialty salad or stir-fry greens, and "recipe meal packs". Other farm treats include a variety of vine, bush, and tree fruit, as nature permits. Members also receive a weekly news letter with recipes, and an automatic invitation at the popular end-of-season Food and Farm-Fest Celebration.

Ray and Virginia invite interested persons to contact them, soon, while subscription and FFW membership openings remain. A current Custom Gardens information brochure is available for the asking. Please call 577-2069 or otherwise contact them by email or visit the farm website. "